Boston, August 30, 2025
News Summary
Comcast has awarded a total of $65,000 in grants to 13 small businesses in the Greater Boston area. Each recipient receives $5,000 along with resources like technology upgrades, business coaching, and media strategies as part of the Comcast RISE program. This initiative aims to support small and minority-owned businesses, providing vital tools and education to foster growth and resilience, especially amidst market challenges.
Boston — Comcast awarded $65,000 in grants to 13 small businesses in the Greater Boston area on August 19, 2025, providing each recipient with a $5,000 cash award along with technology upgrades, business coaching and a tailored media strategy.
Key facts and immediate impact
The awards are part of the Comcast RISE program and include a package for each business consisting of a technology makeover (computer equipment and Internet services), a 30‑second television commercial plus media strategy consultation, access to online entrepreneurship courses, and business coaching sessions. The Massachusetts distribution is one segment of a national initiative that will support a total of 100 businesses this year and has assisted roughly 14,000 entrepreneurs since its 2020 launch.
Who received grants in Greater Boston
Thirteen local businesses each received a $5,000 grant. Notable awardees named in the announcement include Hong Kong Restaurant (Harvard Square), Hot Chix (Inman Square), Kikori (Japanese rice whiskey retailer), and Urban Pharm (producer of shrub drinking vinegars). Several recipients are woman‑owned businesses, among them Curio Spice Co. and Grace at Your Place. Wellness and self‑care ventures selected include Embody Studio (yoga and meditation) and ScalpHelp (haircare products). Other businesses supported include Numbers in Boxes (bookkeeping support aimed at women‑owned businesses) and Woom (an incubator for working mothers and publisher of the children’s book “Mommy Goes to Work”).
Program objectives and regional scope
The Boston round is one of five regional focuses for Comcast RISE this year, alongside Grand Rapids, Michigan; Nashville, Tennessee; Seattle, and South Valley, Utah. The program is designed to foster growth for small and minority‑owned businesses and to provide marketing and technology resources that can be difficult for smaller firms to secure on their own. The grant distribution in Boston is positioned as part of Comcast’s broader Project UP initiative, which centers on digital opportunity and community engagement.
Concerns and conditions reported by recipients
Recipients face common small‑business challenges such as supply‑chain costs and international trade impacts. One recipient’s leadership raised concerns about how tariffs affect the cost of imported ingredients and the ability of smaller producers to compete on price with larger corporations. Comcast RISE aims to offset some operational and marketing barriers but does not alter broader trade or tariff policies.
Eligibility, selection and follow‑up
To qualify for Comcast RISE, businesses must be independently owned, have been generating revenue for at least 12 months prior to application, and employ no more than 100 people. Businesses not selected in this round are able to reapply in future opportunities; they will also receive free marketing insights and resources through Comcast RISE newsletters. The program’s combined services are designed to improve digital capacity, increase marketing reach, and provide practical business education.
How the grant package is intended to be used
- Technology makeover: computer equipment and Internet services to improve operations and customer access.
- Media exposure: a 30‑second television commercial and a media strategy consultation to reach new customers.
- Education and coaching: online entrepreneurship courses and individualized business coaching to build skills and strategy.
Program scale and history
The Comcast RISE program has expanded since its 2020 start to include tens of thousands of participants in different support activities. This year’s selection of 100 businesses across five target regions continues the program’s focus on local economic development and minority and women‑owned business support.
Background and context
Comcast RISE is part of a larger corporate effort to address digital equity and small‑business resilience through Project UP, a suite of initiatives intended to provide resources, training and infrastructure to underserved communities. The combination of cash grants and in‑kind services reflects a strategy to improve both immediate cash flow and longer‑term revenue generation through marketing and digital tools.
Next steps for applicants
Businesses interested in future rounds should review program eligibility, prepare documentation showing at least 12 months of revenue, and monitor Comcast RISE communications for application windows and resources. Nonselected applicants receive ongoing free materials and insights intended to help with future applications and business development.
FAQ
What amount was awarded in Boston and to how many businesses?
Comcast awarded a total of $65,000 in Greater Boston, distributed as $5,000 grants to 13 local small businesses.
When was the Boston announcement made?
The awards were announced on August 19, 2025.
What does each grant package include?
Each recipient receives a cash grant plus a technology makeover (equipment and Internet), a 30‑second TV commercial and media strategy consultation, access to online entrepreneurship courses, and business coaching sessions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility requires independent ownership, at least 12 months of revenue prior to application, and no more than 100 employees.
Can businesses reapply if not selected?
Yes. Businesses not selected in a given round may reapply in future rounds and will receive free marketing insights and resources through Comcast RISE newsletters.
How large is the national program this year?
This year Comcast RISE will support a total of 100 businesses across five targeted regions and has supported approximately 14,000 entrepreneurs since 2020.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of announcement | August 19, 2025 |
| Total awarded in Greater Boston | $65,000 (13 grants of $5,000 each) |
| Core grant package | Technology makeover, 30‑second TV commercial + media strategy, online courses, business coaching |
| Eligibility highlights | Independently owned, ≥12 months revenue, ≤100 employees |
| Regional program scope (this year) | Boston, Grand Rapids (MI), Nashville (TN), Seattle (WA), South Valley (UT) |
| National totals | 100 businesses supported this year; ~14,000 entrepreneurs helped since 2020 |
| Next steps for applicants | Monitor program announcements for future application windows; nonselected applicants receive newsletter resources |
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Additional Resources
- Bay State Banner: New Grant Program Helps Business Owners Level Up
- Boston 25 News: What is the Impact of AI on Small Businesses?
- NBC Boston: Comcast RISE to Award Grants to 100 Small Businesses in Greater Boston
- Google Search: Comcast RISE
- Dot News: Landlords’ Greed Hurting Growth of Small Businesses in City
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Small Business
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